Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1887-11-16
COLONEL WILLIAM WALKER.


Brief Sketch Of the Career of the Man Who
Laced Nicaragua His Struggles and
Tragic Death.
Some time during next month, says
the AL California, a grand reunion
will be held OF Louisville of the sur
wing members of the old phalanx of
bold spirits that over twenty years
ago invaded Nicaragua under the fam
GUS Gray-EYed Man Of Destiny, Col
onel William Walker, otherwise termed
the wild Filibuster.' = The survivors
are not many. They numbered sew
eral hundred in the first place.
The history Of Colonel Walkers adj
venturers in the Nicaraguan state read
like a romance and forms an intensely
interesting chapter in the history of
Spanish America.
In May, 1854, affairs in the Nicar-
aguan republic were in a critical con.
dition. There were two parties--the
Democrats and the Legitimists. The
latter were in the ascendency and had
exiled the leaders of the opposition
party. In the month mentioned these
exiles returned surreptitiously from
Tiger island, and landed at Realejeo,
which they captured, and then pro-
ceaded to Chinandega. At that point
they proceeded to organize a revolu-
ton againt the existing authorities.
These revolntionists lnclu1ed ID. Max
we'll Jerez, d. Mateo Pineda and ID.
Jose Maria Vale. At Gilman
dega they were joined by a great
many enthusiasts in their cause,
and then proceeded to march on Leon.
Reaching there provisional govern
ment was established. d. Francisco
Castellon was elected director. An as
sault was made upon Grenada by Jerez
and his men, but it awaited nothing,
and Jerez was forced to retreat in dis
order.
1t was about this time that Colonel
Walker returned TO San Francisco from
his Inflated Lower California expedi-
ton. He became aware of the condi-
ton of the government in Nicaragua
and Immediately saw q grand opening
for more adventure. Il was daring
scheme for him to entertain, that
taking body of men to the scene of
the trouble and participating in it:
still it was in accord with his wild grit.
He succeeded in obtaining from Castel-
lon grant to introduce 500 Americans
into Nicaragua with the privilege of
bearing arms. The idea was to get an
element into the country that would
assist in its regeneration.
No secrecy was used in organizing
the band of "colonists." Walker
showed the grant to the district attor-
ney of the United States for the north
ern district of California, Hon. S. Inge
who declared that no law would be vi
olated under it. Walker then sailed
from San Francisco with band of men
in the brig Vesta for Realejo.
His intention was to assist the DEM
ocratic forces in, Nicaragua. He ar
rived at Realejo on June II, 1855, with
sixty-two followers. On bis arrival he
found that affairs in Nicaragua had
taken a bad turn for the democratic
party. The provisional government
was confined to the occidental division
of the state and legitamists held the
oriental and meridianal departments.
Walker was pleased at the desperate
condition Of the Cas.ellon party, as it
would naturally be more inclined tore
ceive him with open arms. He was not
mistaken. and at Castellon's request he
formed his followers into la falange
Observation-Disclosures phalanx. Walk
er's first military movement was to adj
vance ON Riyas, the stronghold of the
the legitimists. After a desperate
struggle he was forced to retreat with
loss of one man. In addition 10 his
Americans, Walker had natives in his
service.
The next action took place at Virgin
bay. in which he was triumphant. On
October Is Walker took possession of
the city of Granada, and by treaty
with Corral, the opposing leader. WAS
made geueralissimo. Corral was tried
for treason by n court martial, over
which Walker presided. On November
Corral was shot. AS success crowned
Walkers struggles, so did interest in
Ills cause increase in the United States.
Shipping offices were opened in the
leading cities, and recruits were plenti-
full.
On March 1, 1866, Walker had over
1860 Americans under his control. His
star of destiny was in the ascendant,
AMI his dreams of contest were well
nigh realized. But he now hid an
other difficulty on his hands. Costa
R;ca declared war against him.
Walker got his army in motion and
advanced on the Costa Ricans.
A battle took place at Guanacaste on
March 20. Walker was defeated, but
in second battle that occurred at Ri
vas he once more obtained che advant-
age. HostiIities ceased with this bat
tie, the Costa Ricans being much de-
pressed. Cholera was also prevailing
IN their state.
Walker now carried matters further
in Nicaragua by breaking up the inter-
oceanic route, and confscating the
property and revoking the charter of
the Vanderbilt Steamship Company.
He followed this act by becoming pres.
ident of the state. being elected in June.